Giants fans climb on the statue of Willie Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willie Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16,

Kamilah Pamintuan, 9, holds a replica Worlds Series trophy as fans celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014.

Daniel Sahagan waves a rally towel while sitting on top of a car stuck in traffic as fans celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. less

Daniel Sahagan waves a rally towel while sitting on top of a car stuck in traffic as fans celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San ... more

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. less

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, ... more

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. less

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, ... more

Karen Hamp waves a Giants flag from her car as fans celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. less

Karen Hamp waves a Giants flag from her car as fans celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, ... more

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014. less

Giants fans climb on the statue of Willy Mays as they celebrate outside AT&T Park as the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS, in San Francisco, CA, on Thursday, Oct. 16, ... more

Dennis Villalpando holds a signs outside AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Dennis Villalpando holds a signs outside AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Kenneth "Kenny the Clown" Kahn rejoices with young Giants fan, Mikey Zajec, 7, of Rocklin, before the start 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Kenneth "Kenny the Clown" Kahn rejoices with young Giants fan, Mikey Zajec, 7, of Rocklin, before the start 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Photo: Mike Kepka

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Sadly ticketless, Yolanda Vasquez and her dog Dulce joins other Giants fans outside AT&T park before the start of 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Sadly ticketless, Yolanda Vasquez and her dog Dulce joins other Giants fans outside AT&T park before the start of 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Photo: Mike Kepka

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Tom Neuerburg and Mark Garcia, right, wait to take their canoe into McCovey Cove before the start of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Tom Neuerburg and Mark Garcia, right, wait to take their canoe into McCovey Cove before the start of Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Doug McKesson, of Sonoma, joins Giants fans heading for the 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Doug McKesson, of Sonoma, joins Giants fans heading for the 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Photo: Mike Kepka

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Fans wait outside of the stadium while others stream in before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Fans wait outside of the stadium while others stream in before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Kenneth "Kenny the Clown" Kahn chants for the Giants after giving Owen Busby, 9, right, a balloon hat and bat before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Kenneth "Kenny the Clown" Kahn chants for the Giants after giving Owen Busby, 9, right, a balloon hat and bat before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Players line up for the national anthem before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Players line up for the national anthem before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Fans wait to get into the stadium before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Fans wait to get into the stadium before game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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A Giants fan watches pre-game action from right-centerfield as the DIRECTV blimp flies overhead prior to Game 5 of the NLCS at AT&T Park on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

A Giants fan watches pre-game action from right-centerfield as the DIRECTV blimp flies overhead prior to Game 5 of the NLCS at AT&T Park on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

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Giant fans gear up for the 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Giant fans gear up for the 5th game of the NLCS against the Cardinals on Thursday Oct., 16 in San Francisco, Calif

Photo: Mike Kepka

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 16: Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana pumps up the crowd along with mascot Lou Seal before the San Francisco Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Five of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 16, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 16: Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana pumps up the crowd along with mascot Lou Seal before the San Francisco Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Five ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

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Joe Montana leads a cheer before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) less

Joe Montana leads a cheer before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP ... more

Photo: David J. Phillip, Associated Press

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 16: Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Robb Nen waves to the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Five of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 16, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) less

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 16: Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Robb Nen waves to the crowd before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Giants take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Five of ... more

Photo: Jason O. Watson, Getty Images

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Joe Montana leads a cheer with mascot Lou Seal before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Joe Montana leads a cheer with mascot Lou Seal before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Fans wait to enter AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) less

Fans wait to enter AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Fans make their way to AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) less

Fans make their way to AT&T Park before Game 5 of the National League baseball championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, in San Francisco. (AP ... more

Photo: Jeff Roberson, Associated Press

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Beverly Langer of San Francisco, who has had season tickets since 1987, watches game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Beverly Langer of San Francisco, who has had season tickets since 1987, watches game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Fans listen to the National Anthem at the start of game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Fans listen to the National Anthem at the start of game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Fans cheer during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Fans cheer during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Kim Lohman watches game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Kim Lohman watches game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Ryan Qualls, 23, right, and Jordan Crivelli-Decker, 22, walk through a tunnel into the stadium during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Ryan Qualls, 23, right, and Jordan Crivelli-Decker, 22, walk through a tunnel into the stadium during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Frank DiProsper, left, pats his son Edward DeProsper on the back as the two watch game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Frank DiProsper, left, pats his son Edward DeProsper on the back as the two watch game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Lillian Scripture of Santa Rosa adjusts her homemade hat during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Lillian Scripture of Santa Rosa adjusts her homemade hat during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Leah Millis, The San Francisco Chronicle

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Beverly Langer of San Francisco, who has had season tickets since 1987, poses for a portrait during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

Beverly Langer of San Francisco, who has had season tickets since 1987, poses for a portrait during game five of the NLCS at AT&T Park Oct. 16, 2014 in San Francisco, Calif.

It took mere seconds for the fans who had been stuck outside AT&T Park without tickets to join the cheers, as fireworks erupted above the stadium to celebrate the Giants clinching a World Series trip in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.

“I’m ecstatic! I can’t believe it! We’re going to the World Series!” shouted Chrissie Neukom as she pushed her way through the sea of orange and black.

Thousands of jubilant fans poured out from every stadium exit. They danced in the streets and they blew car horns. And they climbed atop the Willie Mays statue on the corner of Third and King.

Waving Giants flags, they popped open bottles of Champagne — like they knew the Giants themselves had to be doing in the locker room — and sprayed it out onto the crowd.

No one complained. In fact, the wetter they got, the happier they seemed.

“That game, I mean, wasn’t it just fantastic?” said Karol Burke, 54, of Hollister, taking in the crazy scene. She called it an adrenaline rush.

For some it was worth cutting school for — or letting their kids cut.

“I took her out of school a little early today,” admitted Bill Tiller, who had driven down from Petaluma with his 10-year-old daughter, Lily, even though they had no tickets.

They were among about 35 people watching the game in the free area crowded at the railing behind right field, while at least 100 more lined up to wait their turn — they had to trade every three innings. At the field-level railing, dozens of fans snapped photos and yelled, “I love you Hunter Pence!” and “Strike ’em out Bum!”

One fan, frustrated at having to leave the free area after three innings, went in search of a scalper. Ernesto, 25, from San Francisco would not give his last name. But he walked out to the Third Street Bridge by McCovey Cove, where he saw three guys saying, “I got tickets. I got tickets.” Their voices were loud enough for customers but not so loud as to attract police. Ernesto approached them. But in less than two minutes, he had turned around.

A seat in the third deck for $185?

“That’s too much for me,” he said, joining a long line at the corner bar. “It’s all good man. As long as I’m here, I’m happy.”

Burke, the fan from Hollister, took a moment to reflect on the true prize: the World Series. Then she stopped herself.